Nasal cannula mounted solely by frictional engagement with the columella

Abstract

The avoiding of uncomfortable-to-the-touch ear loops and the like in the attaching insertion of oxygen-delivering inserts of a cannula into a patient's nose which uses a 0.25 inch diameter in a circular base of a U-shape of the cannula to provide a chord which in width wise size is smaller than the width wise size of a patient's typical columella which divides in two the nasal cavities, such that the size difference results in a "pinch" fit which holds the cannula in place during its use, and the referred to columella not being sensitive-to-touch thus does not contribute to patient discomfort.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of supplying oxygen into a nose of a patient having left and right nasal cavities on opposite sides of the columella of the nose of the patient and using a cannula of a type having a U-shaped body, said method comprising the steps of selecting as the sole site of attachment for the cannula the columella of the nose of the patient, using a cannula embodied with a circular configuration in a base of said U-shaped body of a diameter of approximately 0.25 inches, urging said cannula in movement so as to project as nasal inserts length portion extensions of said cannula base initially in angular ascending movement into nasal cavities until contact is established with the columella adjacent a distal end thereof, subsequently urging said cannula in movement rearwardly along the columella until a location along the columella at which a width of the columella is greater than a width of a chord of said circular configuration of said cannula base, and establishing frictional engagement between inwardly facing wall means bounding said circular configuration of said cannula base against outwardly facing sides of the columella, whereby said cannula is held in place solely by said frictional attachment to obviate any need for supporting ear loops and any attaching contact internally of the nasal cavities as might contribute to discomfort in the use of said cannula.